Multi-stable radiation pattern reconfigurable antennas
We investigate mechanically reconfigurable antennas as a means of creating flexible emergency communications infrastructure for disaster relief and low-infrastructure areas. Mechanical reconfiguration of conductors allows to create low-cost, energy-efficient, and lightweight solutions that can simultaneously adapt their performance to a changing environment. As such, we are studying reconfigurable helical lattice structures as a means of adapting performance in helical antennas. Our research is focused on several aspects:
- Investigation of the link between helix shape and antenna radiation pattern
- Integration of multi-stability into helical structures to enable low-energy reconfiguration
- Lightweight smart material actuation
- Manufacturing of novel composite materials that enable the desired multi-stability
Collaborators:
Dr. J. Costantine (Co-PI), Dr. Y. Tawk, R. Bichara at the American University of Beirut
Related Publications:
- Bichara, R., Costantine, J., Tawk, Y., & Sakovsky, M. (2023). A Sliding Feeding Mechanism for a Bi-Stable Reconfigurable Quadrifilar Helix Antenna. 2023 IEEE International Symposium on Antennas and Propagation and USNC-URSI Radio Science Meeting (USNC-URSI).
- Sakovsky, M., Reivers, P., Bichara, R., Asadallah, F., Tawk, Y., & Costantine, J. (2023). Multistable helical antenna with reconfigurable radiation pattern for spacecraft. AIAA Scitech 2023 Forum, 0757.
- Sakovsky, M., Bichara, R., Tawk, Y., & Costantine, J. (2022). Enhancing multi-stability in helical lattices for adaptive structures. 2022 AIAA Scitech Forum.
Funding:
2019 Innovation Starting Grant from the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation administered by the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Western Switzerland (HES-SO)